What Globalstar does

Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT) is a publicly traded mobile satellite services operator founded in 1991 and headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, that owns and operates a proprietary low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation across S-band, L-band, and 2.4 GHz frequencies. Its portfolio spans three product families built on top of this constellation: industrial IoT asset tracking devices (RM200M, ST150M, STX3, Integrity 150, SmartOne Solar, SmartOne C, GSatSolar) targeting fleet, pipeline, and remote-asset use cases; SPOT satellite messengers (SPOT X, SPOT Gen4, SPOT Trace) for lone-worker and outdoor safety; and GSP-1700/GSP-1600 handheld satellite phones for voice and data outside cellular coverage. A unifying software layer, the Realm Enablement Suite, provides low-code edge application hosting and AWS integration on Realm-enabled hardware. Globalstar also licenses an 11.5 MHz mid-band terrestrial spectrum asset (3GPP Band n53) in 13 countries covering 870M+ people for private 5G and carrier use cases.

The company monetizes through a mix of recurring subscription plans (SPOT $11.95-$29.95/mo, GSP-1700 $99.99-$2,400/yr, add-on services like SPOT Mapping and Global Overwatch & Rescue), one-time hardware sales ($150-$350 per tracker), wholesale satellite capacity (notably a $1.1B Apple commitment under which 85% of network capacity is reserved for iPhone Emergency SOS and related direct-to-device services), and Band n53 spectrum licensing. Distribution runs through a dedicated Corporate & Government Sales team, a global Value-Added Reseller network across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Japan, and Asia Pacific, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, OEM/embedded partnerships, and inside sales to MNOs/MVNOs. In April 2026, Amazon announced a definitive agreement to acquire Globalstar for approximately $11.57 billion, expected to close in 2027 subject to regulatory approval, with Amazon separately agreeing to continue powering Apple's satellite connectivity for iPhone and Apple Watch post-close.

Name

Globalstar

Legal name

Globalstar, Inc.

Website

https://globalstar.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT) is a publicly traded LEO satellite operator providing mobile satellite voice, data, IoT asset tracking, and direct-to-device connectivity — most notably powering Apple's iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite — while licensing Band n53 5G mid-band spectrum across 13 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Communications

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (5174)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB) (HDAIAJAA)

Keywords

• Satellite communications
• Mobile satellite services
• Satellite IoT tracking
• Asset tracking devices
• Satellite spectrum licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Covington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Satellite Service Subscriptions: Recurring monthly or annual subscription plans for IoT asset tracking, SPOT satellite messengers, and satellite phone services (GSP-1700). Plans include 12-month terms with auto-renewal, activation fees, and overage charges. Examples: SPOT X Basic $11.95/mo, Advanced $19.95/mo, Unlimited $29.95/mo; GSP-1700 Orbit 150 $99.99/mo to Galaxy Unlimited $2,400/yr.
2. Hardware Sales: One-time sales of satellite IoT hardware including RM200M modules, ST150M modules, STX3 modems, Integrity 150 trackers ($350), GSatSolar ($199), SmartOne C ($150), SPOT X, SPOT Gen4, SPOT Trace, GSP-1700, and GSP-1600 satellite phones.
3. Wholesale Capacity Services: Wholesale satellite capacity and direct-to-device services sold to major customers including Apple (iPhone Emergency SOS, with 85% of network capacity reserved, $1.1B commitment, $252M prepayment) and MDA Space (which is building replacement and next-generation constellations under a 2022 contract for 17 satellites).
4. Band n53 Spectrum Licensing: Licensing of 11.5 MHz Band n53 terrestrial mid-band spectrum to mobile network operators, MVNOs, cable companies, and systems integrators for private 5G network deployment across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, and other licensed countries.
5. Value-Added Services: Add-on paid services including SPOT Mapping ($2.50–$5.00/mo), Enhanced Tracking ($4.95/mo or $59/yr), Global Overwatch & Rescue Plan ($49.99/yr), Product Replacement Program ($1.99/mo or $17.99/yr), and SPOT Roadside Assistance ($3.99/mo or $39.99/yr).
6. Professional Services & Integration: Custom integration and consulting for enterprise customers, including end-to-end IoT solution development, network customization, and large-volume custom configuration (e.g., pricing negotiable on orders of 20+ units for SPOT Gen4).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Core offering

Globalstar operates a proprietary low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation providing mobile satellite services (MSS) for voice, data, and IoT/asset tracking applications. The company sells satellite hardware (handheld phones, SPOT messengers, IoT modules, and asset trackers), recurring connectivity subscriptions, wholesale satellite capacity (notably to Apple for iPhone Emergency SOS), and licenses its Band n53 mid-band terrestrial spectrum for private 5G networks. Its Realm Enablement Suite provides a low-code application platform with edge computing for OEM integrators.

Product overview

Globalstar operates a portfolio built around its proprietary LEO satellite network, combining a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core connectivity backbone is the Globalstar LEO Satellite Network, on top of which the company offers three principal product families: (1) Industrial IoT Asset Tracking devices — including the STX3 one-way modem, the ST150M two-way AI-enabled modem, the flagship RM200M resilient two-way module, the Integrity 150 solar-powered tracker, and the SmartOne Solar, SmartOne C, and GSatSolar trackers; (2) SPOT Satellite Devices for personnel safety and messaging — SPOT X (two-way), SPOT Gen4, and SPOT Trace; and (3) Voice & Data satellite phones (GSP-1700, GSP-1600). The Realm Enablement Suite acts as the unifying software layer — a low-code AI-driven application platform with edge computing, a Realm Cloud data center, and integration paths into AWS — that ties the RM200M, Integrity 150, and ST150M hardware together. Supporting services include SPOT My Globalstar and SPOT Mapping for data management, the Global Overwatch & Rescue Plan and SPOT Roadside Assistance Plan as add-on services, and the Band n53 terrestrial spectrum offering for private 5G networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SPOT: Brand of affordable satellite messengers providing location-based tracking and messaging for personnel safety management, including SPOT X (2-way messenger), SPOT Gen4 (satellite GPS messenger), SPOT Trace (asset tracking), SPOT Gen3, and SPOT Mapping.
• XCOM RAN
• Band n53
• Realm Enablement Suite
• SPOT My Globalstar

Products and services

• RM200M

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Iridium Communications: Closest direct LEO mobile satellite services (MSS) peer; operates a 66-satellite L-band constellation providing voice, data, IoT, and emerging D2D services (Iridium NTN Direct). Directly comparable on network architecture, MSS spectrum, IoT/asset-tracking SKUs, and enterprise/government GTM motion.
• Telesat: Canadian LEO satellite operator building the Lightspeed constellation and a co-founding member (with Globalstar) of the SpaceConnect Association. Comparable as an NGSO LEO operator targeting enterprise, government, and connectivity markets.
• ORBCOMM: Specialist in industrial IoT and asset tracking over satellite and dual-mode cellular/satellite networks, with overlapping SKUs in fleet management, cold chain, and heavy equipment. Closely comparable on industrial IoT hardware and recurring telematics subscription model.

Broad incumbents

• EchoStar Corporation: Diversified satellite operator holding licensed MSS S-band spectrum and operating the EchoStar XX satellite platform. Has entered into strategic spectrum and capacity arrangements with SpaceX/Starlink, making it a structurally similar incumbent competitor in MSS and D2D markets.
• Viasat: Large, diversified GEO/LEO satellite operator with global broadband, in-flight connectivity, and government services (post-Inmarsat integration). Overlaps with Globalstar in IoT/telematics and government/enterprise satellite communications as a much larger, multi-orbit incumbent.
• SES S.A. Multi-orbit satellite operator (GEO + O3b mPOWER MEO) serving enterprise, government, and connectivity markets. Comparable as a global incumbent offering managed satellite services and increasingly competing in IoT and government/defense connectivity.

Emerging players

• AST SpaceMobile: Emerging LEO D2D competitor building a space-based cellular broadband network with direct-to-smartphone partnerships (AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, etc.). Highly comparable to Globalstar's D2D ambitions and a credible threat to Apple's future satellite partner choices.
• SpaceX Starlink: Operator of the largest LEO broadband constellation, with Starlink Direct to Cell (T-Mobile partnership and others) directly targeting the D2D market. Competes with Globalstar in MSS-adjacent spectrum and D2D; SpaceX has actively sought access to Globalstar's licensed bands.
• Skylo Technologies: NTN service provider that partners with existing satellite operators (including GEO and LEO) to deliver D2D and IoT connectivity using 3GPP standards. Comparable as a software/standards-driven D2D and IoT connectivity layer that competes for the same end-customer use cases.

Others

• Ligado Networks: Holds MSS spectrum in the same 1.6/2.4 GHz bands as Globalstar and was the co-licensee referenced in the FCC's dismissal of SpaceX's interference petition. A directly comparable spectrum-rights holder and policy counterpart rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Globalstarinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/GlobalstarInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/globalstar
• Xx.com/Globalstar

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Globalstar